Why Christians Celebrate Epiphany

 We often use the word 'epiphany' to refer to a revelation or recognition of importance in our lives. Epiphany, in the liturgical sense, is a feast day celebrated mostly in the Catholic and Orthodox faiths. Epiphany is the day Christians remember the visit of the Magi to the stable in Bethlehem. In the eastern or Orthodox rites of the Church, Epiphany is also the day which we remember the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan river. Read more

Free Health Clinics for Detroit Uninsured Adults

As health care costs escalate, more people are struggling to access and pay for basic medical needs. According to S.A.Y. Detroit, 550,000 people in the Detroit area lack health insurance, and nearly 100,000 of these are kids under 10. To bridge this gap, several Metro Detroit missions and community organizations offer free clinics and health services to uninsured adults. read more

Troy, Mich. Interfaith Group Preaches Peace in Detroit Faith Community

 Detroit is home to a diverse mix of culture, religion, faith, and ideology. The largest Islamic mosque and Muslim community in North America is located in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan. Muslims from around the globe worship in Detroit. Detroit boasts all rites and denominations of Christianity, including Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and Coptic. Various sects of Judaism -- Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic, Reformed, Orthodox, Conservative and Reconstructionist -- call Detroit home. Jewish Roots says that one sect, Humanistic Judaism, actually originated in Detroit. There are Baha'i, Jain, and Sikh communities. Hindu and Buddhist temples gather their faithful in Detroit. For the most part, the differing faith communities coexist very well. That's thanks in part to efforts like the Troy Interfaith Group (TIG). Troy Interfaith Group Preaches Peace in Detroit Faith Community

Simple life parenting: Teaching kids how to slow down

Whenever I ask fellow parents how they are, the first answer is always "busy." Parents are under a lot of pressure from work, family, school and community. It's easy to get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to live. We disconnect from spouses and kids because we're stuck in a too-fast lifestyle. We complain that kids are too busy, but they learn from our example. Here are ways parents teach kids, by example, how to slow down.  Simple life parenting: Teaching kids how to slow down

September 11, Hurricane Katrina: Separate and Unequal Reactions from a Compassionate Nation - Yahoo! News

It's with mixed emotions that I ponder September 11, 10 years later. I knew our nation would engulf the 2,753 WTC victims and Flight 93 and Pentagon victims with love. My fellow Americans are kindhearted. But when a big wind named Katrina drowned New Orleans four years later, killing 1,833 (confirmed) Americans, where was that compassion? It's a tale of two Americas. Two profiles in courage with a segregation of empathy. Two separate and unequal responses, two equal and opposite reactions.  911 and Hurricane Katrina: Separate and Unequal Reactions from a Compassionate Nation

Rainbow PUSH 'Crusade for America' Marches on Detroit

Here's group to follow. These folks are forging a path for democracy and we need to show solidarity with them. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC) is a grassroots collective action group that was formed by the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in 1996. Rainbow PUSH refers to itself as a "multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization," and the goal is to work non-violently for social justice. Rainbow PUSH Michigan staged a protest march called "Crusade for America Parent and Youth March" downtown Detroit on Saturday, August 25. God bless you, RPC-MI. You're fighting the good fight and I thank you. Here are some of the goals of the march.  Rainbow PUSH 'Crusade for America' Marches on Detroit

Mature Reading for Teen High School Boys and Young Adults

It's a sad fact that the majority of teenage boys and young men do not read anything beyond magazines or newspapers. Here is list of literature guaranteed to get teen boys and men hooked on books. I've listed these tops reads for teen boys and men with the author name. Some of these books are newly published and others have been read and loved for decades. This list contains some former banned and censored books, and would mostly be rated mature. Mature Reading for Teen High School Boys and Young Adults

Ways Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping

 As summer winds down, parents and kids are gearing up to go back to school. For parents, kids returning to school means back-to-school shopping. In 2012, the Detroit News reported that families will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Detroiters, if you're looking to save money on back-to-school purchases, here are places in the metro area to do it. Several of these tips apply to back to school shopping outside of Michigan, too. Read more at Ways Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping in Detroit

Perseids Meteor Shower Visible August 11, 2012

Lots of things come around annually: a baseball game, a parade and also a beautiful light display like nothing else you've ever seen. And here's the good news; you don't have to reserve seating. There are no advance tickets to purchase.  Everyone gets the best seats in the house, free, no waiting in line, no driving required. This light display is brought to you courtesy of our galaxy, the Milky Way (cue applause).

It's the annual Perseid meteor shower and it will be on display in the western hemisphere this year 2012 from as early as late evening on Saturday, August 11 to early morning on Sunday (best viewing three hours before dawn). For best viewing, try to get outside between midnight and 5am. Finally a show that third shift workers like my husband get first dibs on.  Perseids Meteor Shower Visible August 11, 2012.

Mental and Emotional Health Resources for Disaster Victims

 When disaster strikes, like the Japan and Haiti earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear reactor meltdown, the Gulf oil spill, house fires and other hazards, the first thought is physical safety. But what about mental health and PTSD concerns?

Disasters cause emotional stress and mental health issues, too. When disaster strikes, victims usually spend a period of time in shock. Sometimes, shock or fear-induced adrenalin rushes help disaster victims respond to immediate safety and rescue concerns.

When the adrenaline and shock wear off, disaster victims are left exhausted and emotionally drained. Shock acts as a mental insulator. It protects the mind and emotions from meltdown. As shock wears off, it can leave a profound lethargy and depression in its wake. Read more at Mental and Emotional Health Resources for Disaster Victims

Al Sharpton Is Right: Martin Needs Justice, Not Revenge

Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old Sanford, Fla., youth gunned down in February may finally get justice.
His shooter, George Zimmerman was charged by a special prosecutor Wednesday with second-degree murder. Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton cautioned Martin's supporters not to let their quest for a trial turn into a vendetta against Zimmerman. Sharpton has called for peaceful, prayerful support, not violence.  Al Sharpton Is Right: Martin Needs Justice, Not Revenge